NFL TRAINING CAMPS / Raiders press on sans Charles Woodson

Published 4:00 am, Thursday, July 29, 2004

Even before the Raiders placed their exclusive franchise player tag on cornerback Charles Woodson, they prepared themselves for a heap of fallout.

The angry reaction. The insistence on a long-term contract and signing bonus approaching $20 million. The refusal to sign the one-year tender, which in Woodson's case is a healthy $8.8 million. The likely no-show at training camp.

Each unfortunate scenario has been anticipated, which is why new coach Norv Turner is not only prepared, he seems comfortable opening Raiders training camp without his starting left cornerback, a four-time Pro Bowler.

"I don't see it as affecting us in terms of what we're able to get done, " Turner said Wednesday, addressing the possibility that Woodson, 27, may engage in a lengthy holdout. "Obviously we want to get Charles in here. He's a heck of a football player and he gives us some things that maybe some other guys don't.

"We'll be better with him. But in terms of getting done what we need to get done in training camp, I think we'll be able to get done what we need to."

Second-year corner Nnamdi Asomugha will be the immediate beneficiary of any Woodson holdout, as will free agent Denard Walker. Asomugha, who goes into the season as Woodson's backup at left corner, will be moved freely among positions during camp and will play both sides, Turner said. Phillip Buchanon remains the starter at right cornerback.

Photo: MICHAEL MACOR

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raiders483_mac.jpg Raiders 24- Charles Woodson during the last 2 minutes of the game as Oakland falls to the Steelers 27-7 NFL Oakland Raiders vs. Pittsburgh Steelers.
12/7/03 in PITTSBURGH. MICHAEL MACOR/ The Chronicle MANDATORY CREDIT FOR PHOTOG AND SF CHRONICLE/ -MAGS OUT less

raiders483_mac.jpg Raiders 24- Charles Woodson during the last 2 minutes of the game as Oakland falls to the Steelers 27-7 NFL Oakland Raiders vs. Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Photo: MICHAEL MACOR

NFL TRAINING CAMPS / Raiders press on sans Charles Woodson

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Woodson's agent, Carl Poston, is one of the league's toughest negotiators. His brother, Kevin, represents another likely holdout, 49ers All-Pro linebacker Julian Peterson. Carl Poston also is the agent for Rams left tackle Orlando Pace, who has twice been designated a franchise player and failed to report to camp Tuesday night with the rest of his teammates.

Woodson is one of six players around the league whose fates are tied to the controversial "franchise tag," which prevents free agents from negotiating with other teams. With no long-term contract agreement in sight, Woodson still hasn't signed a one-year tender that will pay him $8,782,400, the average salary of the top five cornerbacks in the NFL.

While Turner doesn't foresee a contract stalemate that extends into the regular season, he certainly gave no indication Wednesday that Woodson's absence will sound any alarm bells today, when the Raiders' rookies and veterans are scheduled to report to the Napa Valley Marriott.

Players will hit the field Friday for two practices, and will don pads for the afternoon workout, Turner said -- with or without their starting cornerback. Without a contract in place, Woodson already has skipped the team's mandatory minicamps and offseason workout program -- a total of 24 practices that allowed younger players to get some badly needed reps.

While Poston and the Raiders have remained in touch -- the two sides spoke briefly Wednesday afternoon -- the lack of movement means the Raiders' carefully laid contingency plan for life without Woodson will be put to the test.

"I can't really give you an update," Turner said of the Woodson negotiations. "We're in the same situation four or five other teams are with the franchise tag. I'm not sure that any of them will get resolved real fast. I'm anxious and optimistic something will get done and we'll get him in camp as soon as we can."

Gallery will report: Tackle Robert Gallery, the Raiders' first-round draft pick from Iowa, will sign a multiyear contract this morning and report on time with the rest of the team, agent Rick Smith said.

The early framework of the deal should pay Gallery, the No. 2 overall selection, as much as $14.5 million guaranteed.

"Our goal is to sign (today). We've been working nonstop the last two days, tightening the thing up," Smith said. "It's critically important that he be there the first day. If you want to be a starting left tackle in the NFL, you've got to get your butt in camp on time."